TBX1 demo 1

YouTube via AaronAndrewHunt

"This is a demonstration of the H-Pi Instruments Tuning Box TBX1 ($299), a device which retunes standard MIDI keyboards so that any key can play any pitch you want. In this demo, a Yamaha PSR-310 ($149) plays an arpeggio throughout, sending MIDI notes of a C-Major chord, which you hear at the beginning going through the box in bypass mode (no retuning). That chord then gets retuned in 15 different ways, and I noodle around (not much keyboard skill shown here) over the arpeggio in each tuning. Each of the 15 presets stores a tuning and a bank / patch change. The box stores up to 128 tunings in 4 layers = 512 tunings, each 128 notes. Check it out here: http://www.h-pi.com/TBX1intro.html"

GEM WX2 Destruction

YouTube via Tittlekopf. via SubSynthesis. These videos always make me cringe.
Click here for the infamous video of Richard Devine setting an Open Labs Neko on fire.
Note Richard Devine will be performing at the City Skies 08 Electronic Music Festival.

Description of above video:
"Verschiedene Wege ein defektes GEM WX2 Keyboard zu zerstören: Hammer, Zaunstangen, Feuerwerk Bazooka und ein Pontiac Firebird. Von und mit Doktor Untenlieger.

Musik:
Alobar - Input
Welle:Erdball - Arbeit adelt
Welle:Erdball - Starfighter F104G
Tax-5 - Video Sports
Tax-5 - Iron Sun

(C)2008
www.Tax-5.ch
www.alobar.tax-5.ch"

Erasure-I Love To Hate You ( Brazilian TV Show -Xuxa)

YouTube via BetoFS. Anyone ID the keyboard?
"Great,funny and hard to find video on brazilian TV Show for kids named "Xou da Xuxa"
No programa infantil da Xuxa...um arraso!!!"

via Sasa:
"This is really hilarious. In the following video you will see Erasure playing 'live' at the show of Xuxa. She is a brazilian star well known in all South America. The green character is called Dengue. At about 1:50 you will see him joining Vince Clarke on the keyboard. The funniest thing I've seen in months. BTW, this video also shows how much Erasure was ahead of their time - the keyboard was completely wireless."

Synth: Modular demo, MFB into Polivoks into Frequensteiner.

via hexfix93:
"I love this modular I have built. This demo shows me what I love about both filters, the bubbly resonance of the harvestman polivoks, into the aggressive cutting sound of the livewire frequensteiner. I recorded this into my mackie onyx, out into the rme fireface 800 into logic, I used a limiter on it, 6db only. The mfb osc is a pwm sound. I could never make this sound on a Future Retro XS. The more I mess with this thing, the more I realize how great the doepfer rack is, how many great custom boutique third party modules are available for this format. Thanks to Analog Haven and the advice of Shawn I have been able to slowly build up a system that really fits my needs and gives me a solid mono synth that is capable of making alien soundscapes and rhythms. No digital synth gave me the bite and juicy resonance on filters like these have. It almost sounds like real water bubbling. Turn this up loud!" You can find the demo here.

Votrax SC-01-A Speech Synthesizer

YouTube via ThisIsATest000
"A Votrax SC-01-A Speech Synthesizer is dusted off and placed in-circuit for old time's sake. Amazing, but it works! In fact, I've set up a CGI so you can send your own phonemes to this very SC01A.

I've published examples, translation tables, and a live CGI interface so you can mess around with it.

Go to http://www.riana.com/electronics and choose 'Today's Experiment'."

CASIO VL-1 No.7 by S-CAT

YouTube via PHONICPOTION. "CIRCUIT BENT with 9 MODIFICATIONS"

Roland Jupiter-4 Analog Synthesizer by RetroSound

YouTube via retrosound72

"vintage synth demo by RetroSound

Roland Jupiter-4 Analog Synthesizer from the year 1978

used by: Vince Clarke, Human League, Duran Duran, Thomas Dolby and many more"

Matti Bye recording the Baldwin Orga-sonic

YouTube via RothHandle
"Yesterday we started working aon a n albums worth of Cirkus Music. And here is a short film of Matti recording an Idea on the Baldwin Orga-sonic organ.

For more information or booking please visit www.roth-handle.nu"

Coron DS8 Clones mods by Synthmonger

YouTube via synthmonger
"This was made for Jeswa.

Mods = Extended range on VCO, Decay, LFO, individual outputs and master output with attenuators, individual and master CV input with attenuators for VCO and VCA.

CV input is 0-5V. The trigger is an envelope follower and amplitude remains high as long as the gate signal is high."

MPC electronics The KIT drum Synth

via this auction
"Ultra rare MPC electronics The KIT analog drum Synthesizer. You trigger the sound by playing the pads with your fingers. The Syn kit enables the user to obtain a wide variety of syndrum sounds by altering the Sweep (which varies the depth of the sound), Decay (sets the decay time), and Pitch (sets the frequency range of the sweep) controls on the front panel. As well as force-to-volume sensitivity, tapping the pad harder will produce a relatively deeper sweep and longer decay time. the virtual version will give you an Idea of what it can do, but that is just a simple setting you can change that when you get the KIT unit."

SPECTRAL AUDIO NEPTUNE

images via this auction

"Serial No. 30254
* Two voltage control oscillators, noise source, ring modulation, and external audio input.
* The LFO can also be used as a third oscillator, for that phat Moog sound.
* The LFO can modulate oscillator pitch, as well as the filter cut-off.
* Both the VCF and VCA have their own envelope generators."

click the image for a full size shot.

Roland JD-800

images via this auction
"This Vintage Roland model JD-800(Roland's top model) synthesizer was made in Japan sometime during the early 1990's. It is a 61 key semi weighted Digital Waveform Synthesizer based on 108 PCM digital sample sounds. It also has sine wave, saw tooth wave, triangle wave pulse and square wave etc. Using 59 multiple value sliders, 43 buttons and 3 knobs, it offers the operational feel of an analog synth(no soft touch knob functions and edit pages to deal with yet with trouble-free stable digital sound). There are 4 audio outputs besides the headphone out, expression and hold pedal ports and MIDI IN OUT and THRU. It is also multi timbral(5 tones in Multi-Mode. Can also be used with sequencer or pre recorded MIDI files. Accurate, life-like drum sounds are included. Expansion card slots are included for external expansion. Number 5 on preset selectors not operating but otherwise, all functions work perfectly." I have a JD800 whose buttons go out now and then. You have to press them multiple times to get them going again. Might be time for a cleaning, but who knows with this one.

x0xb0x ultimate modded

via this auction
"serial #495
- Devilfish-like Overdrive
- Increased Filter Envelope range
- Increased Filter Low End - switchable
- Bass Boost - switchable
- Resonance Boost - switchable
- High beta transistors used in crucial positions
- Tuning knob with centre detent used
- VCO pre-filter output
- VCF Input with overdrive
- Gate on forever - switchable
- VCA Envelope on forever - switchable
- Momentary Envelope retrigger
- Increased Accent range
- Increased Envelope mod range
- Power on/off switch

The VCO out and VCF in are on separate 1/4" jacks, so you don't need to buy a special insert cable to use them. They are also half-normalled which allows you to tap the VCO output for external use while still having it routed to the Filter and VCA for normal use. This is impossible to achieve with a regular insert cable.

The overdrive circuit has been modified by me so that instead of the regular x0xb0x overdrive which just overdrives the VCO to the filter, there is an additional drive control after the external audio input to the filter, which allows you to achieve a nice subtle fattening of any signal that you run into the x0xb0x. I haven't added the mod to the x0xb0x wiki yet, so as far as I know this is the only x0xb0x which can do this.

The mods extend the range of this x0xb0x from a 303 clone to one of the most flexible sequencer and synth combinations out there. I've used it to sequence my Evolver and mixed the x0x VCO in with the Evolver's DCO and digital waveforms for massively fat 5 oscillator basslines, and that's only the start of what you can do with it.

All the mods I've added apart from the increased pot ranges are switchable, so you can turn them all off and run in standard 303 mode or switch them all in and have a wild beast that rivals a Devilfish.

The x0xb0x has a full complement of sequencing ins and outs including MIDI, USB, DIN Sync and CV/Gate. It'll interface with anything from a computer to a vintage modular, even at the same time!"

Oberheim Xpander XP-1

images via this auction

Note the warp on the front panel in the bottom shot.

The service manual is also up and listed on MATRIXSYNTH-B

Garfield Electronics Mini Doc

images via this auction

"Garfield Electronics Mini Doc synthesizer synchronizer. So you need to sync your Fairlight to your Simmons kit. Or maybe you need to sync your Memorymoog to that Synclavier you've been meaning to use. Or slave your Synclavier to that TR-606. Perfectly normal situation these days. You'll need help. Get the Mini Doc. The manual is printed on top! Yes! Garfield Electronics Mini Doc Synth CV DIN Tape Sync."

Cover for Moog Taurus II

images via this auction

"original cover for a Moog Taurus II bass synth. This is the cover for the "brain" of the unit. We do not have the cover for the pedal section of the synth."

Electro Harmonix Mini-Synthesizer

images via this auction

"Electro Harmonix Mini-Synthesizer Model EH 0400. Filters and Phaser built in"

Sample at auction and here.

MOOG Opus 3

images via this auction

"ELECTRONIC STRINGS, HORNS, EQUALIZED ORGAN SIMULATION, & CRAZY ELECTRONIC SOUNDS"

ARP Axxe

images via this auction

Acid Offspring

via steve of buried in time

"It's compiled of 606, 909, 303, FR-revolution jams that were hacked up and passed around to various producers in Portland. 10 tracks in all that touch on many moods/styles in electronic music. from 4/4 bangers to hip hop tempo'd head nodders and totally hacked up DSP'd grooves.

The sample pack that everyone used to make their songs is also available for download if anyone is curious where the songs got their start or perhaps wants to have a go at making their own version.

A medley of clips of all 10 tracks can be heard on the website or the myspace/virb pages."

check it out.

Don Buchla - A History of Buchla's Musical Instruments

You can find the video link on this page. You can find a link to a PDF here. Also see this interview.
And of course see the Buchla link below under Labels for everything Buchla on MATRIXSYNTH.

City Skies 08 Electronic Music Festival

"City Skies 08 Electronic Music Festival will be held in the Atlanta area on May 2-3, 2008. The list of performers includes musicians from around the U.S. heard on Music From the Hearts of Space, Echoes, Star's End, Soma FM, StillStream, Galactic Travels, and more.

Musical styles will range from ambient to downtempo chillout to Berlin school to electropop to space rock to experimental. All music will be performed, this is NOT a DJ event.

We have chosen Kavarna in the Oakhurst area of Decatur for the concert venue. Kavarna gives us a perfect vibe for our inaugural event, with a nice selection of food and beverage for festival attendees."
For more info including the full lineup, click here.

Update: Richard Devine who's been mentioned in a post or two here on MATRIXSYNTH will be performing.

Update via Jim in the comments: Photos from the event are now up at http://www.cityskies.com/photoswrek.html

Synth Noise Box

flickr by NOMOMUSIC

full size

"Shawn Royal of sirkut electronics built this synth for me. I sent him these two toy telegraph boxes, with some vintage dakaware knobs, and after 2 years, he sent me back this crazy thing."

Kurzweil K2500XS Audio Elite Keyboard - $19,995.00 New

images via this auction
"The K2500 Audio Elite System (AES, pictured above) is a Rolls Royce version of the K2500 masterpiece. It comes with every single option available to the K2500 and is fully expanded with ROM and RAM to the max! It also includes extra peripherals such as 2 DMTIs and a CD-ROM drive. And finally it has the most elegant and classiest look of any synthesizer ever! This is truly the World's most powerful and amazing Synthesizer ever...it list's for $19,995.00! The K2600 series is virtually identical to the K2500. With all the same and compatible options and features, the K2600 adds increased preset V.A.S.T wave memory with a standard 12MB expandable to 44MB as opposed to the K2500's 8MB expandable to 28MB."
via Ryan

Does a Cow say Moo or Moe?

This image is actually from the prior post's flickr set. I thought the cow analogy was pretty interesting. As children we are pretty much taught a cow says moo, but if you ever heard one actually moo it sounds more like a sustained moe, or the like. If someone says you pronounce MOOG like moo of a cow, what are they saying?

So, does a chicken say boc, broc or ba-cack?!

Yamaha CS80

images via this auction via Joshua
"I am the second owner. I bought it years ago from a Las Vegas musician who had not used it professionally for some time, although it had pride of place in his living room. SN is 1373. For those of you who are interested, that means that the boards are the later ones with the tuning modifIcation to make it more stable. Also included are the manual,the music stand inside the tolex top cover, spare parts, including key mechanisms and at least one circuit board, pedals, and a spare power supply ( the label on the box the spare PS came in is worth the price IMO and BTW the addresses are old ones for both parties). I do not know whether the pedals and the spare parts are functional ( spare parts are rumoured to have come from a cs80 once owned by Toto-although this could be a drawback for certain folks , I suppose) . I have recently tested all functions and every electronic function works, including polyaftertouch, except that some of the lamps on the preset buttons that light up to show which preset is operating have burned out- however the buttons still work. This Cs80 has one modification, a useful one I believe, As you probably know if you've read this far, Cs80s were notorious for generating heat that made the tuning go bad. They were also quite heavy. The original owner simply made the rather heavy power supply EXTERNAL- this cuts down on the weight of the unit. It is housed in a red toolbox (visible in one of the pics). The unit is ( a little) lighter and the tuning is quite stable. Cosmetically, the tolex is in good shape and the wood is well represented in the pictures."

Portishead-Machine Gun-Later...April,2008

YouTube via chrisf242. via billy. Spot the synths.
"Portishead performing 'Machine Gun' live on Later...18/4/08"

VICMOD JAM

via Ross:
"Here are some sounds and photos of our recent VICMOD meet. This time it was an improv session, 2 members were soldering while we recorded and joined in after their modules were finished :-)

For interested people
Ross Healy - EMS Synthi AKS, Bugbrand Postcard Weevil.
Simon Birds - DS Desktop Evolver, Electro Harmonix 2880, boxes.
Brett Maddaford - FR-777 Monophonic Synthesizer.
Graeme Trott - Wacky Sound Generator, DIY Euro Modular Toby - MS2000 Scott Baker - DIY Euro Modular Gerrard Jenner - Nintendo DS . Nord Micro modular.
Mel - soldering iron, camera

Photos
Sound (look for the STE tracks)"

You can find all VICMOD posts here. Remember, search is your friend.
You can find the search box for MATRIXSYNTH on the top left of the site.

Pro One J-Wire Keyboard

Two shots of the Sequential Circuits Pro-One J-Wire keyboard sent my way via Gregor. Be sure to click on them for the full size shots. This is currently up for auction here.

noisesource

MATRIXSYNTH reader noisesource wrote in to let me know he has started a new blog. You can find it here.

Eurorack modular synth self generating patch, tweaked.

YouTube via noisesource
"noisesource.blogspot.com video 4-22-08: a simple self generating patch with minor tweaks along the way."

plastique

flickr by Aaron Kraten

full size

EMS Synthi

FiveG

flickr by xybo
(click for more)

dee_beamz

flickr by believekevin

full size

KORG Kaoscillator Easter Egg

via TrondC on VSE:
"yup, you heard me Smile got this tip on the "kaossimilation" facebook-group, and thought I'd share

the trick:
press and hold down the Tap/BMP and the Loop Rec/Play as you turn the kaossilator on, and "dly" will appear on the little screen. release the buttons and it turns on like normal. then, set the loop length, and you will see there is now a 16 bar mode Smile a very fun feature, but for some reson there's no counter when you record anymore, which means you'll need to listen carefully to follow the loop length. Also, it won't let you overdub if you release the rec button, probably the feature takes up all of it's memory..

anyway, thought this was a fun thing to share, to breathe new life into your kaossilators"

EMS Synthi AKS #2 Quick Demo

YouTube via 123synthland. via AnalogSuicide

BigSeq 2.0

Audio Damage will be updating BigSeq. You can find a list of what they plan to include on Analog Industries. They are also looking for input from the people that own BigSeq.